Business Licensing & Operations in Burke County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Burke County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Burke County requires a county license before anyone may operate an adult establishment such as an adult bookstore, cabaret, arcade or motion picture theater, or work as an adult live entertainer. Licenses run through the sheriff's department with a background check and site inspection, carry an initial fee of $1,500.00, and are subject to permanent revocation for prostitution, drug activity or public-nudity violations on the premises.
Adult Establishment License, Burke County NC
Heavy RestrictionsBurke County Code § 14-127(b)
(b)License required.(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to own, directly or indirectly, a legal, equitable or beneficial interest in, to operate or to manage an adult establishment, either as a principal or accessory use, as herein defined, without first acquiring and keeping in full force and effect at all times a license in compliance with the provisions of this article.
Massage Establishments
No one may work as a massagist or operate a massage parlor in unincorporated Burke County without a license issued by the sheriff. The sheriff's office runs the application, background and health-certificate process, parlors may only operate 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the board of commissioners can revoke a license for nuisance, crime or code violations on the premises.
Massage Parlor License, Burke County NC
Significant RestrictionsBurke County Code § 14-46
No person shall work as a massagist or operate a massage parlor unless licensed to do so.
Secondhand Dealers
Burke County does not license secondhand metal dealers separately, but its recycle-centers-and-scrap-yards article regulates every scrap metal company or individual doing business as a secondhand dealer or recycling center in the county. Dealers must record detailed transaction invoices, keep them available to law enforcement, and require a transport permit before accepting 25 pounds or more of copper.
Scrap Metal Dealer Rules, Burke County NC
Some RestrictionsBurke County Code § 26-136
This article applies to all scrap metal companies, or individuals doing business as a recycling center, in the jurisdiction of the county that deal in all metals, to include copper, aluminum, lead, titanium, steel, iron, gold, silver, or all other recyclable metals for the purpose of business as a secondhand dealer, or recycling center, where materials are exchanged for monies or other compensa...
Pawnbrokers
Burke County makes it unlawful to establish, operate or conduct business as a pawnbroker without first obtaining a county license through the sheriff's department. Applicants must be of good moral character with no felony conviction in the past ten years, must post a $5,000.00 bond, and are subject to an annual fee and possible license revocation for record-keeping or conduct violations.
Pawnbroker License, Burke County NC
Significant RestrictionsBurke County Code § 14-96
It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, operate or conduct business as a pawnbroker without first obtaining a license to do so.
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